Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped defender Jonny Evans to be a Manchester United captain in the future, after becoming a mainstay of his first choice back line.

Ferguson has been impressed with the 25-year-old Northern Irish defender, in the way in which he has developed and taken more responsibility in United's defence while senior figures such as Nemanja Vidic have been in and out of the team through injury.

The United chief has no doubts in his mind following Evans progress, that he has what it takes to one day become captain of the club.

“He’s a fantastic footballer. He’s quick and has two great feet," the Sun quoted Ferguson as saying.

“But the development in the last couple of years has been in his authority within games.”

Evans made his United debut in the League Cup against Coventry City in 2007 and has now worked his way up to arguably being Ferguson's first choice centre half at the club.

Players like himself along with the likes of Phil Jones, 20, and Chris Smalling, 23, will be seen as the future of the club, with Rio Ferdinand and recently returned club captain Nemanja Vidic both now into their 30′s.

Evans was recently rewarded with a new contract which will keep him at Old Trafford till at least June 2016.

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